CE 1.1.8 Proofread to check spelling, layout, and font; and prepare selected pieces for a public audience. CE 1.2.3 Write, speak, and create artistic representations to express personal experience and perspective (e.g., personal narrative, poetry, imaginative writing, slam poetry, blogs, webpages). CE 1.5.1 Use writing, speaking, and visual expression to develop powerful, creative and critical messages.
NETS-S:
1.b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression 1.c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues 5.b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
Essential Questions:
How can one choice change, not only your own life, but the lives of others? When is it okay to choose something that may seem dangerous? Would you have made the same choice as Jonas?
Objectives:
Each student will create an alternate ending to the novel and post their ending on a teacher created Wikispaces page. These endings must be at least two pages in length and can either be an additional chapter that elongates the novel, or it can be how the story would end if Jonas made a different choice. Then, students will read their fellow students’ endings and comment on at least three.
Tools and Resources:
A copy of The Giver by Lois Lowry
Internet capable computers
Wikispaces website (students have their usernames and password)
Reading Journal
Rationale:
This lesson encourages students to use their imagination, and to think critically about the theme of choice in The Giver. Also, it allows students to practice their creative writing skills. Allowing students to review the work of their classmates also opens them up to accepting the opinions of others.
Sequence of Activities:
Anticipatory Questions/Activity:
Students will be given 5 minutes at the start of class to respond to the following prompt in their reading journals: Would you have made the same choice as Jonas? Why or why not?
Body of Lesson Plan: Segment #1
Next, students will be given the assignment of creating an alternate ending to The Giver. They can either choose to keep Jonas’ choice the same and add on to what happens to him and the people he left behind, or they may choose to rewrite the ending with Jonas choosing to stay in his society.
Segment #2
This alternate ending must be at least three pages in length and include dialogue. It should be creative and original. They will have class time to work on this assignment on day two and it will be due on day three posted to the teacher created Wikispaces page. After the endings have been posted to the page, students will be required to read and comment on at least three of their peers’ alternate endings.
Segment #3
On day three, after the students have commented on their peers’ alternate endings, the teacher will call on students to answer the following questions: What similarities/differences did others’ endings have to your own? Answers will vary. Did you think Jonas’ choice was too dangerous? Student may reply no because it was more dangerous to stay in his community. Do you think it would have been safer to stay in his society or to leave it? Student may reply that they feel it was more dangerous to leave than to stay, because Jonas has no idea what to expect on the outside. Which way did you choose to create your alternate ending and why? Answers will vary.
Segment #4
Step 1: Create a three page long alternate ending to The Giver that is creative, uses proper grammar, uses dialogue, and either elongates the story after Jonas has left or changes Jonas’ choice and, therefore, how the story ends (follow the checklist provided by the teacher). Step 2: Post these endings do the teacher created Wikispaces. Step 3: On Wikispaces, view at least three other students’ alternate endings. Step 4: On Wikispaces, comment on the three alternate endings you decided to read.
Lesson Plan 1 RB
Lesson Plan 2 RB
Lesson Plan 3 RB
Lesson Plan 4 RB
Lesson Plan 5 RB
CE 1.2.3 Write, speak, and create artistic representations to express personal experience and perspective (e.g., personal narrative, poetry, imaginative writing, slam poetry, blogs, webpages).
CE 1.5.1 Use writing, speaking, and visual expression to develop powerful, creative and critical messages.
1.c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
5.b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
Segment #1
What similarities/differences did others’ endings have to your own?
Answers will vary.
Did you think Jonas’ choice was too dangerous?
Student may reply no because it was more dangerous to stay in his community.
Do you think it would have been safer to stay in his society or to leave it?
Student may reply that they feel it was more dangerous to leave than to stay, because Jonas has no idea what to expect on the outside.
Which way did you choose to create your alternate ending and why?
Answers will vary.
Step 2: Post these endings do the teacher created Wikispaces.
Step 3: On Wikispaces, view at least three other students’ alternate endings.
Step 4: On Wikispaces, comment on the three alternate endings you decided to read.